Spinning To Grace

It started when I was about 10 years old. I’d come home from school, grab a snack, and then open the door to the basement. I’d stand at the top of the stairs, nimbling on a Dad’s oatmeal cookie, and listen. Was she down there?

Yes. And if just starting, I’d hear first a sound like a hand clap, and then a whirling, like a spinning ceiling fan.

Sometimes I would take the 12 steps down, deep into the basement, red shag carpet soft on my bare feet. I’d see her, in the room off to the left, wearing hush puppy slippers to protect her feet from a cold concrete floor and the clay that splattered. A scarf held her sand curls away as she leaned over the wheel, her hands moving up and down the spinning, wet clay. The clay would rise with her gentle hands. Sometimes, after dipping a hand into a water pail beside the wheel, she’d press on top of the tower of clay, to decrease it, bring it down. And then, her encircled hands applying perfect pressure, she’d restore the clay into recognizable forms of mugs, bowls and vases.

She’d spin up the clay, my mother, and then flatten it down on the potter’s wheel, spin and press down, until the clay mixture was the perfect consistency to hold the mold she knew it could.

I didn’t see it then, this parallel, when watching my mother’s skilled hands, yet isn’t that what God is doing with us too? Even in our battles, our trials, our hurts and betrayals, when we are in the depths of the valley, God is molding us and restoring us. His hands hold us, and His words are living water, replenishing and nurturing. His grace spins us from destructive habits, from shame and condemnation toward strength and redemption.

Turn to God! Give up your sins, and you will be forgiven. Then that time will come when the Lord will give you fresh strength. Acts 3:19-20

You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

And He rights our path and restores our soul.

He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name sake. Psalm 23:3

My prayer for you today, my friend, is that you know He will lift you up from any depth, restore you, and satisfy you with His presence.

Oh Lynn, you really encouraged my heart today. I was already captured by the verse in the first photo. Thank you. It’s such a comforting reminder that “Even in our battles, our trials, our hurts and betrayals, when we are in the depths of the valley, God is molding us and restoring us.” That must have been fascinating to watch your mom’s hands at work. And the analogy to our Potter is so special. Love and hugs to you!

Thank you Trudy. It’s so interesting how God can use everything, even a memory that seemed to have no significance, to remind us of His presence in our lives. May you have week feeling His refreshing and restoring hand encircling, comforting, and guiding! Love and hugs back to you.

Hi Lynn! What a strong memory you have of your mother’s artistry (makes me see where you get some of your artist genes). I think seeing someone doing what they are meant to do is so powerful.
Yes, this is what God does with us, and with just as much love. We are in need of re-forming daily, and it’s not always pleasant! But the results are worth the pressure and push.
(You can edit this part out, but look at your first paragraph. You are probably nibbling on the cookie. Hope you don’t mind me pointing that out.)
Sunday blessings,
Ceil

Lynn, another beautiful post. I love the picture you create of God as the Potter forming and shaping us. sometimes, allowing us to be battered a bit to create the consistency for all that He wants to build us to be. Thank you for this beautiful analogy!

I was s curious as you led me down the stairs to meet this mysterious person..and wow your mom in the act of creation! How I love your writing here
.so gorgeous! Just love the message..To so mold us ..the
He great creator!

Wow Lynn, another gorgeous piece! This beautiful story and reflection brought me so much comfort and peace in knowing God is truly molding me into His best version of me. Thank you friend, another one I must share so many more can be blessed by your words and truly understand the power of God’s love for each one of us.

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